Judea

I SAW in rift of cloud a beaming light

That spread soft radiance over Judea’s plain,

Where mother of a race watched sunny rain

Before red flashes told of stormy night.

She looked afar, through misty ages vast,

And saw her progeny the scorn of men,

Far scattered, trod to earth to rise again,

And hold distinction, though the world should last

Till sun and planets fell in void of time

And light was scant as when the world was born.

She saw her sons surmount the stings of scorn

With sad eyes and with brow of care; sublime

In aspect her breast throbbing with new life;

Beheld universal motherhood’s young

Cease their dire bickerings, she stood among

The children of the earth unstirred by strife;

Saw creeds lose force in the long ages’ span,

One God, one hope, and peace o’erspread the earth,

Regenerative man’s new heart at bright,

The soul’s broad scope, and brotherhood of man.